BREAKING NEWS: Bowling Champion Emma Wrenn Donates $3.6 Million to Build Shelter for Homeless Youth in Ohio
April 13, 2025 – Youngstown, OH — In a powerful demonstration of compassion and leadership beyond the lanes, NCAA bowling champion Emma Wrenn of Youngstown State University has invested $3.6 million to transform a historic building into a state-of-the-art shelter for homeless youth in northeast Ohio.
The announcement comes just days after Wrenn led the Youngstown State Penguins to their first-ever NCAA Women’s Bowling Championship, a milestone achievement that catapulted her into national sports headlines. But Wrenn is now making waves for an entirely different reason — one rooted in purpose and giving back.
The new shelter, set to open in early 2026, will be located in downtown Youngstown and is designed to provide housing, education support, job training, and mental health resources for youth aged 14–21 who are at risk or experiencing homelessness.
“This city gave me a place to grow, to dream, and to become a champion,” Wrenn said at a press conference Friday afternoon. “Now it’s time for me to give back and be part of building hope for someone else’s future.”
The facility, which will be named The Wrenn Center, will feature 24/7 care services, including counselors, peer support groups, and career readiness programs. According to city officials, it is one of the largest private donations ever made by a collegiate athlete in the region.
Mayor Tito Brown praised Wrenn’s vision: “Emma is not just a role model on the lanes — she’s showing all of us what it means to lead with heart.”
Wrenn, a senior and expected future Team USA competitor, has indicated she plans to remain involved in the shelter’s development after graduation.
“Championships fade, but impact lasts,” she said. “I want my legacy to be more than strikes and spares.”
